The main types of transport for transporting goods
Semi-trailer
The most common body type. Suitable for transporting most loads.
Tenting allows loading from above and from the side.
Carrying capacity : 20-25 tons.
Useful volume : 60-92 m3.
Capacity : 22-33 euro pallets.
Refrigerator
Refrigerator semi-trailer. Suitable for transportation of most types of perishable products and cargo with specific storage conditions: from +25°С to -25°С. In operation, it is more expensive than other types of motor vehicles by 5-25%.
Carrying capacity : 12-22 tons.
Useful volume : 60-92 m3.
Capacity : 24-33 euro pallets.
“Auto Train”
Car with a body on one frame + trailer.
Advantage : fast loading and large useful volume.
Disadvantage : not suitable for transporting long loads.
Carrying capacity : 16-25 tons.
Useful volume : 60-120 m3.
Capacity : 22-33 euro pallets.
Isotherm (Thermos)
Designed for transportation of food products. Can maintain a certain temperature for a long time. There is a semi-trailer, automatic clutch and single.
Carrying capacity : 3-25 tons.
Useful volume : 32-92 m3.
Capacity : 6-33 euro pallets.
Platform for oversized cargo
It is used for transporting oversized cargo, including construction and special equipment.
Carrying capacity : 20-40 tons.
Open platform
It is used for the transportation of goods resistant to external weather conditions. Can be used for transporting oversized equipment.
Carrying capacity : 15-20 tons.
«Jumbo»
Large capacity semi-trailer. This is achieved due to the special L-shaped floor and the reduced diameter of the semi-trailer wheels.
Carrying capacity : up to 20 tons.
Useful volume : 96-125 m3.
Capacity : 33 euro pallets.
Schemes of placing pallets in trucks
A pallet or pallet is a shipping container that has a rigid platform and space sufficient to create a consolidated cargo unit that is used as a basis for the collection, storage, transshipment and transportation of goods. Designed for cargo storage and its movement using mechanical means. The goods placed on the pallet can be pulled to it with belts (fastening tapes) or wrapped with heat-shrinkable or stretch films.
The main dimensions of pallets
- 1200mm x 800mm – certified European pallet (EUR-pallet). The presence of the “EUR” brand in the oval is mandatory.
- 1200mm x 1000mm – Certified finpallet (FIN-pallet, Finnish pallet). The presence of the “FIN” brand is mandatory.
- 1200mm x 1200mm
There are other sizes, but they are very rare. Cargo owners can have pallets made according to the specifics of the cargo, as a rule, when transporting industrial equipment or building materials.
Wooden pallets must be strong enough to withstand the weight of three tiers. The load on the pallet should not protrude beyond the edges of the pallet. When crossing the border, wooden pallets must have a mark confirming phytosanitary treatment.
Carrying capacity 1.5 tons.
Useful volume 9.0 cubic meters.
The internal length and width of the body is 3.0 m x 1.7 m.
Pallet seats, 4 pcs.
Useful volume 12.0 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 1.7 m.
The internal width of the body is 1.7 m.
The internal length of the body is 4 m.
Pallet spaces, 6 pcs.
Useful volume 30 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 2.2 m.
The internal width of the body is 2.3 m.
The internal length of the body is 5.9 m.
Pallet seats, 10 pcs.
Useful volume 40.0 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 2.35 m.
The internal width of the body is 2.45 m.
The internal length of the body is 7.0 m.
Pallet-places, 17 pcs.
Useful volume 54.0 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 2.8 m.
The internal width of the body is 2.45 m.
Internal body length, 8 m.
Pallet spaces, 20 pcs.
Useful volume 77.0 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 2.5 m.
The internal width of the body is 2.45 m.
The internal length of the body is 12.5 m.
Pallet seats, 32 pcs.
Useful volume 90.0 cubic meters.
The internal height of the body is 2.7 m.
The internal width of the body is 2.45 m.
The internal length of the body is 13.6 m.
Pallet seats, 33 pcs.
Axle overload – how to avoid it
One of the main causes of axle overload is improperly distributed load on the trailer. The consequences of this problem are not only high fines, but also the need to reload the truck. Read the article to learn how to minimize the risk of axle overload.
An overloaded axle impairs vehicle handling and increases braking time, creating a significant hazard for the driver and other road users. The permissible axle load is also related to the roads on which the truck travels. An overloaded car damages the road surface, thereby increasing its wear and tear.
Causes of axle load
One of the main reasons for overloading the axles is the incorrect distribution of the load on the trailer. This applies to loading where the distribution of gravity has not been taken into account or the permissible gross weight of the vehicle has been exceeded.
You can also receive a fine for an overloaded axle if the axle load does not meet the permissible load according to the Road Traffic and Public Roads Regulations. Manufacturing plants are often located near intersections leading to national roads, where limits are set, for example 8 tons. Even if the length of the route is several kilometers, the police or other authorities can issue a fine to the carrier for not following the rules.
Violations in the process of loading can occur not only due to the ignorance of the sender of the cargo, but also due to an error – when the weight or quantity of the goods differs from that indicated in the invoice, which the person responsible for loading may not be aware of. Another example of problems could be a situation where the goods were placed correctly on the load, but there were several unloading points along the way. The law of leverage affecting the force of gravity can cause a reduction in total weight to give the wrong result.
Heavy fines for axle overload across Europe
Fines are imposed on vehicles that are overloaded or have exceeded the permissible axle load. On some roads, the permissible axle load is lower, which must be taken into account when planning the route of the vehicle. If there is no other option for the route, it is necessary to obtain a permit for the passage of a non-standard vehicle. Failure to have the appropriate certificate may result in a fine.
Fines for exceeding the permissible axle load vary from country to country – but most often they are calculated based on the percentage of the axle load exceeded. In many countries there are permissible limits – in the Netherlands exceeding the axle load by up to 5% only results in a warning.
The fine ranges from €10 in Austria for a load of less than 5% to €4,000 for a load of more than 60% in Belgium. But not only the fine can become a problem. A car with overloaded axles has to be reloaded, which in turn leads to delays and exposes the company to additional costs.
Usually the culprit of overloaded axles is the carrier, since he is responsible for the transportation of goods, although the overloading of the vehicle is not always his fault. He can then try to prove that the shipper or freight forwarder caused the violation. One Polish carrier, which received a fine for exceeding the 10-ton axle load when performing national transportation, referred the case to the Road Transport Inspectorate, thus showing a violation of Polish legislation. According to the directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the permissible axle load on public roads in EU countries is 11.5 tons. Thus, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Poland did not comply with European regulations, which is an illegal action, and the carriers can demand a refund.
How to avoid axle loads?
The consignor is usually responsible for loading, unless the transport application states that the driver is responsible for loading. In situations where the driver suspects that the axle load has been exceeded, and he has this opportunity, he must check the conformity of the actual weight of the cargo with the weight indicated on the invoice. If the weight differs from the actual one, the driver has the right to refuse the application. However, it is usually the freight forwarder who makes the final decision to pick up the cargo or not. It is important that if the freight forwarder undertakes to pick up the goods despite the overloaded vehicle, the carrier must have confirmation of this, for example, in the form of an email. If there were no scales at the place of loading, then the responsibility for the overloaded vehicle (the weight of which differed from that specified in the application) falls on the sender of the cargo.
The correct distribution of the load in the vehicle is crucial. Sometimes the driver handles the distribution of the load. He does not always have the necessary knowledge and skills, especially when working with several loads of different sizes. Newer trucks have systems that measure axle loads, but if they show too much pressure on one of the axles, the shipper, and often the driver, will have to redistribute the load to avoid a fine. A solution to this problem may be to send the driver or shipper a load plan that includes axle loads.
Minimizing the risk associated with overloaded axles is a difficult task for the carrier. He must have a high level of knowledge of legislation, carefully check the obligations in the contracts between him and the consignor. And in those cases where loading is part of his duties, he should ideally send the driver a draft of the correct loading scheme, thereby minimizing the risk of error.